ramblers

It was a short ramble this month, not knowing what the state of the footpaths would be after all the recent rain. We walked from Firestone car park to the edge of Lakeside Wootton and back. There were hundreds of daffodils in bloom and on the shores of the lake at least 3 egrets were seen.

Our lunch was taken at Wootton Methodist Church where there is always an excellent value for money menu and such friendly service.

In December we had a shorter walk around Firestone Copse. We needed to get to the Sloop Inn early so we could get a dining table for us all to share for our Christmas lunch. We were a little muddy but nobody noticed.

2011

January – we had snow and ice so our walk was cancelled.

February, we went on our usual visit to see the beautiful snowdrops at Newchurch graveyard, followed by lunch at Thompson’s Garden Centre.

March, I was away so Betty Sieler organised a walk around Brighstone.

April, we went down to Mottistone. We parked in the National Trust car park. The bluebells were coming out. A lot of the forest land had been cleared and it was difficult to find the path. We scrambled up a steep hill and found the path, what a beautiful view of the sea up at the top! Coming back down the scent of the bluebells was amazing.

In May we took part in the WI walks to visit another WI. Some of our walkers started from home, others drove and we met up at Quarr Abbey car park. Then we all walked to Binstead stopping at Barbara’s for coffee. We metBinsteadWIat the Fleming Arms together with another couple more of our members and we all had lunch together.

In June we went to Chillerton. We visited the church at Gatcombe and admired the beautiful stained glass windows. It was raining and we all got very wet. Three of us went the Chequers Inn, the rest went straight home. We were drenched!

In July it started to rain and after getting so wet in June, and as there were only four of us, we went for coffee at the Riverside Quay and sat watched the boats going up and down the river, and then we drove to the Folly Inn for lunch.

We did not have a walk in August.

September, we joined up withSeaviewWIfor their annual ramble and amble. Seven of us went. The ramble was a little difficult with the tide coming up the beach and we had to go through the woods. The amblers had a quieter walk with lots of coffee.

October, we parked at Medina High School and walked through the Arboretum to the river path, we passed the remains of the Ryde Queen sadly rotting in the mud and then on to the Folly Inn for food. Afterwards we walked back again. It was a lovely sunny day.

We all enjoy our walks, but would be very pleased to welcome more ramblers from our WI to join us and swell our numbers.

The ramble started at the Priory. We visited the chapel and walked round the garden. Continuing our walk we climbed the hill to Mount Joy cemetery which we found alight with hundreds of cowslips. After walking around the walls of the castle we made our way to the Waverley Inn